# CX explained — Short Works

> Chapter companion for Short Works by Epictetus.

## What happens

A brief chapter advising that one should not pursue every pleasure, but only those pleasures which are aligned with and lead toward the good.

## Themes in this chapter

### Practical Ethics and Self-Discipline

The excerpt provides a direct, practical rule for ethical living: exercising discernment and self-discipline in the pursuit of pleasure, choosing only those aligned with the good.

### Moderation and Simplicity

The advice implicitly promotes moderation by rejecting the indiscriminate pursuit of all pleasures, advocating for a simpler, more selective approach guided by reason.

## Key lines

> A man should choose (pursue) not every pleasure, but the pleasure which leads to the good.

Do not chase after every enjoyable feeling; only pursue those pleasures that guide you toward what is truly good and virtuous.

_This is a concise ethical filter, distinguishing between base pleasure and pleasure that serves a higher, rational purpose._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/epictetus_short_works_se/chapters/cx
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/epictetus_short_works_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/epictetus_short_works_se/chapters